combat mission in iraq. david kerley is at the white house this morning. david, the president trying to draw some stark contrast with his challenger in that speech. >> reporter: dan, very quickly, the obama campaign pointed out that not once did mitt romney mention the war in afghanistan or the military. so, the president stopped at ft. bliss, surrounded by soldiers. it was an official stop. but that didn't stop the president pointing out his record. he meant what he said. ending the war in iraq, going aft after al qaeda. >> even as this war ends, we will stay vigilant until afghanistan is never again a course for attacks against america. never again. >> reporter: the big message for the president to the soldiers is that the commitment of the country to those soldiers is just beginning. he talks about mental health and several other issues facing our soldiers. dan? >> he talked about the message there. now, the president gears up for the democratic convention. is there an overriding theme they're hoping to convey? >> reporter: yeah. choice, choice, choice,